Kusatsu Onsen Baths

Cost

Other Cities and Areas > Kusatsu Onsen > Attractions > Hot Springs

(for more information on the town and area, please visit the Kusatsu Onsen page) Kusatsu Onsen (or Kusatsu Hot Springs) is most famous for it's Onsens (Hot Springs Baths). Kusatsu has the lagest natural flow of hot springs water in all of Japan, has been considered among "the best" and consistantly ranks at the top of past and present "Hot Springs Rankings"! Most of this hot springs water surfaces in the center of town in the spot called "Yubatake" (see an area map below). The hot springs water at Kusatsu is renowned for it's health benefits which include opening your pores and increasing blood flow within your body and to your brain.

You can soak and relax in one of Kusatsu's hot springs baths at:

A Public Bath House: The three most popular being Sai No Kawara, Gozan No Yu & Outaki No Yu (see below for detailed information).

A Ryokan (Japanese Inn): Staying guests at a Ryokan can of course use baths for free but some Ryokans also offer "bath only" passes for a fee of typically between 500 - 1500 yen.

A Community bath house : These are FREE bathhouses that the generally the locals use. Visitors may also use these bathhouses but note that the baths are generally pretty small (only fitting 2-4 people), are pretty hot & may be crowded at times.

Kusatsu Onsen Area Map

Notes: Generally admission to bath houses stop 30 min. to 1 hour before closing time. "Cost", "Hours" and "Closed" days are posted here for convenience but may fluctuate depending on season and business alterations. Please visit the official site of each business (if available) for exact data. Most of these bath houses provide separate facilities for male/female, a locker, showers and the bath. You should bring your own "drying off" towel and "hiding towel" if so desired.

Sai No Kawara

西の河原露天風呂

One of Japan's largest "Outdoor Open Air Baths", Sai No Kawara can handle over a hundred bathers. It is a "public" open air bath (in Japanese; 露天風呂 Rotenburo) set in a beautiful setting for all seasons. Sai No Kawara bath is in Sai No Kawara park which is about a 15-20 min. walk from the main bus station.

Cost: 600 yen

Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (from 9:00 a.m. from December to March)

Closed: No closing days

Gozan No Yu

御座之湯

A relatively new bath house, Gozan No Yu opened in 2013 and is right next to the Yubatake. Gozan No Yu offers a stone bath and a wooden bath that are switched between the genders on a daily basis. The baths each have two pools that are fed by different types of thermal waters. You may also relax (take a nap after a long hot bath) on the 2nd floor for an additional charge. Gozan No Yu is about a 10 min. walk from the main bus station.

Cost: 500 yen

Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Closed: No closing days

Outaki No Yu

大滝乃湯

Otaki No Yu is a great place to relax at because they offer quite a variety of different indoor and outdoor baths. The "main" bath area is called Awaseyu which has multiple tubs, each with different temperatures ranging from 38C (100.4F) to 46C (114.8F). The Awaseyu tubs are made out of traditional wood and the atmosphere is very calming and relaxing.

Cost: 800 yen

Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Closed: No closing days

Jizo No Yu

地蔵の湯

Jizonoyu is a "Community Bath House" and is free to enjoy. The tubs here are filled with hot water (sometimes very hot) from the spring in front of the building. There are gender segregated tubs that fit about 4 to 6 people each. Jizo No Yu is just a short 5 min. walk from the Yubatake area and easy to find. Jizo No Yu also offers "Jikan Yu" which is "timed therapy bathing sessions".

Cost: FREE

Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Closed: No closing days

No Website

Shirahata No Yu

白旗の湯

Shirahata No Yu is another one of the popular "Cummunity Bath Houses" you can enjoy for free. The soaking water here is very hot so be prepared for that. Shirahata No Yu is close by the Yubatake area and has two small tubs that can fit 2-4 people each.

Cost: FREE

Hours: 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Closed: No closing days

No Website

Chiyo No Yu

千代の湯

Chiyo No Yu is a 1 min walk from Yubatake, next to Osaka-ya. Where you can experience the "Jikan No Yu" (timed therapy bathing sessions) bathing style at 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. (arrive at least five minutes beforehand). It would probably be a good idea to get a ticket an hour or two in advance. Then, walk around a bit and come back for your session.

Cost: 560 yen

Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Closed: Every Monday and the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month